Lake Forest proposed as home for new sheriff's substation

LAKE FOREST – The Sheriff’s Department wants to set up its new substation in an office building near Lake Forest Drive and the 241 toll road, a move department officials said would increase efficiency in serving southeast Orange County.

Deputies assigned to the Southeast Substation would patrol territory east of I-5, including the cities of Lake Forest, Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita.

The station also would provide service to those unincorporated areas east of I-5, including Coto de Caza, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Wagon Wheel, Rancho Mission Viejo and Trabuco Canyon.

The new location, at 20202 Windrow Drive, across from the Lake Forest Sports Park, would reduce time deputies spend driving from the substation in Aliso Viejo to their respective cities, the department said.

Police, however, would not do arrest bookings there; the space would not include holding or jail cells, and no probation appointments would take place there.

The vacant building previously was occupied by I-Flow, a health care company. If a lease is approved, the department would take about 51,000 square feet – about half of the building.

At minimum, 118 deputies, 12 sergeants, 13 investigators and 11 community service officers would be assigned to the substation, the Sheriff’s Department said.

Capt. Brian Schmutz, who was promoted this year to Southeast Operations chief, would run the substation. Schmutz previously served as police chief in Rancho Santa Margarita.

The substation in Aliso Viejo would remain open and serve areas west of I-5.

The county is required to give a 60-day written notice if it plans to construct a facility or enter into a lease within a city, but on Tuesday, the City Council agreed to waive the requirement.

The substation deal needs approval from the Board of Supervisors to go forward. It’s expected to go before the board June 24.

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